Action Alert: San Diego Ban on No-Fault Terminations + Eviction Moratorium

Update - March 29, 2022

As SCRHA reported last week, San Diego City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera has docketed the eviction moratorium for this coming Monday, April 4. No agenda or draft ordinance has been made available yet. As soon as they become available, SCRHA will send out more details.

The only information SCRHA has been provided is general in nature. Additionally, the State Legislature has fast-tracked legislation to extend some of the existing protections for renters unable to pay as a result of COVID-19. Once signed by the Governor, this will render the non-payment portion of the City's law ineffective until July 1. HOWEVER, RESTRICTIONS ON TERMINATION OF TENANCY COULD GO INTO EFFECT IMMEDIATELY IF APPROVED. 

The moratorium would ADD restrictions against no-fault termination of tenancy such as owner move-in, removing the unit from the rental market, and substantial remodel. Notice requirements could be anywhere from 60 days to six months! And there is still no end date. The ordinance would be in place for 60 days after the local emergency ends, which could be months or years out. 

Again, SCRHA will share more information as it becomes available and send an Action Alert with more information on how to Make Your Voice Heard! We will need housing providers to testify via Zoom or phone, provide eComment, send emails, and more! Click here to learn how to participate in the hearing.

In the meantime, members are encouraged to contact members of the City Council and ask them to oppose further regulation on rental housing. If you live, have property, or run your business in the City of San Diego, MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!    

Click here to find your Council District and email contact for Councilmembers. You may also call their offices using the numbers below:

• Councilmember Joe LaCava (District 1) - 619-236-6611
• Councilmember Jennifer Campbell (District 2) - 619-236-6622
• Councilmember Stephen Whitburn (District 3) - 619-236-6633
• Council President Pro Tem Monica Montgomery Steppe (District 4) - 619-236-6644
• Councilmember Marni von Wilpert (District 5) - 619-236-6655
• Councilmember Chris Cate (District 6) - 619-236-6616
• Councilmember Raul Campillo (District 7) - 619-236-6677
• Councilmember Vivian Moreno (District 8) - 619-236-6688
• Council President Sean Elo-Rivera (District 9) - 619-236-6699 

March 23, 2022

SCRHA has been advocating against eviction moratoria and in favor of rental assistance since the onset of the pandemic. Now, as restrictions subside and jobs have returned, San Diego City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera and several Council colleagues are proposing an expanded moratorium.

The moratorium would ADD restrictions against no-fault termination of tenancy while continuing to protect against eviction for non-payment of rent due to a COVID-19 related financial hardship.

This turn of events is particularly disheartening since SCRHA has been asking the Mayor and Councilmembers to reevaluate the moratorium they passed well over a year ago. SCRHA contends that current circumstances and the availability of rental assistance have lessened the need for such restrictions. At the very least, SCRHA asked for more certainty with the simple inclusion of an end date or a requirement to reevaluate the need for the ordinance periodically.

Instead, the council will hear amendments to make the ordinance more restrictive and prohibit terminations for owner move-in, substantial remodel, and withdrawal from the rental market. And this is still slated to be in place for 60 days after the local emergency ends, which could be months or years out. This is a slap in the face of housing providers, many of whom have been providing free or discounted housing to numerous residents over the last few years. Continuing to rob Peter to pay Paul is simply not the right approach for San Diego's holistic recovery.

Specific details are not available at this time. SCRHA will share more information as it becomes available and send an Action Alert ahead of the April 4 council hearing. We will need housing providers to testify via Zoom or phone, provide eComment, send emails, and more!

In the meantime, members are encouraged to contact members of the City Council and ask them to oppose further regulation on rental housing. If you live, have property, or run your business in the City of San Diego, MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

Click here to find your Council District and email contact for Councilmembers. You may also call their offices using the numbers below:

• Councilmember Joe LaCava (District 1) - 619-236-6611
• Councilmember Jennifer Campbell (District 2) - 619-236-6622
• Councilmember Stephen Whitburn (District 3) - 619-236-6633
• Council President pro Tem Monica Montgomery Steppe (District 4) - 619-236-6644
• Councilmember Marni von Wilpert (District 5) - 619-236-6655
• Councilmember Chris Cate (District 6) - 619-236-6616
• Councilmember Raul Campillo (District 7) - 619-236-6677
• Councilmember Vivian Moreno (District 8) - 619-236-6688
• Council President Sean Elo-Rivera (District 9) - 619-236-6699